Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

काम्यास्विष्टिष्वभीमानी रक्षोहायतिकृच्च यः सुरभिर्वसुमान्नादो हर्यश्वश्चैव रुक्मवान् //

Transliteration

kāmyāsviṣṭiṣvabhīmānī rakṣohāyatikṛcca yaḥ surabhirvasumānnādo haryaśvaścaiva rukmavān //

Translation

In the kāmya and sv-iṣṭi offerings, the one designated as Abhīmānī; and the performer of the Rakṣo-hāyati rite; also Surabhi, Vasumān, Nāda, Haryaśva, and likewise Rukmavān—these are the ritual appellations to be known.

Word by Word

• kāmya: desire-motivated (optional) rite

• iṣṭi: an oblation/offer-offering sacrifice

• sv-iṣṭi (sviṣṭi): well-offered/auspicious offering

• abhīmānī: the one presiding/identified by that name (a ritual designation)

• rakṣaḥ-hāyati: a rite/act for driving away rākṣasas and hostile forces

• kṛt: doer/performer

• yaḥ: who

• surabhi: Surabhi (name/epithet)

• vasumān: wealthy/abounding in goods (name/epithet)

• nāda: sound/resonance (name/epithet)

• haryaśva: having tawny/greenish horses (name/epithet)

• rukmavān: possessing gold/ornamented (name/epithet)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purāṇa’s ritual catalogue (within the Matsya–Manu instructional frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Abhīmānī
• Surabhi
• Vasumān
• Nāda
• Haryaśva
• Rukmavān
• Rakṣo-hāyati (rite)

Tags

• Yajna
• Isti
• Ritual-names
• Protective-rites
• Matsya-Purana

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not describe pralaya; it catalogues ritual designations and a protective rite name, indicating the Purāṇa’s concern with correct liturgical terminology rather than cosmology here.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It supports dharmic duty by stressing correct identification of rites and their appellations—knowledge a householder (or a king maintaining public rites) would need to sponsor offerings and protective ceremonies properly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it lists names/epithets connected with iṣṭi offerings and mentions a rakṣas-repelling rite (rakṣo-hāyati), highlighting protective liturgy rather than Vāstu or temple architecture.